Getting started is the hard part

I've always been the chunky girl who was too tall at every stage of my life. Even after more than a decade of staying active with basketball I was never within my preferred weight range.

In adulthood I gave up on that dream of being fit, and gave up on keeping myself healthy, except for the occasional long walk to clear my head.

A few months ago I heard through the grapevine the cruel words of someone I had formerly had feelings for.

"Don't date her because she is fat," was the sentence that a friend told me was said.

At that point I lost all respect not only for that person, but for myself. I was distraught until I spoke with a friend who was very in to exercising.

Bev Foglesong invited me over to try out a new workout program with her and a friend, and now I'm glad I did.

In just a few months I've lost 16 pounds. I'm nowhere near my ideal weight, but I feel healthier.

Now, don't get me wrong. I didn't start exercising because someone said something cruel about me. I started to exercise because I realized I wasn't happy with the way I looked.

Bev's tips, a lot of research and the help of those around me has made this new journey in my life successful so far.

You wouldn't think working out and eating right would be so difficult, but I've learned that's not true. My first goal was to completely cut soda out of my diet, and that was harder than I ever imagined.

Almost every morning I would scrounge up just enough change to stop at the first gas station on my way to work to fuel up with a 32 ounce caffeinated beverage. Giving up that morning boost in exchange for a liter of water was a difficult one.

I'm still guilty of an energy drink on those days I have a rough time sleeping, or sneaking in a sip of someone else's soda. But, the important part is I've put forth that effort.

Eating right has probably been the most difficult part of getting myself healthy. To be honest, I don't have much money so I have to eat what I can afford.

Most days it was simpler to invest in the dollar menu, but instead I put those dollars to better use and invested in some low sodium lunch meat.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned in the last few months of working towards a better me is not to step on the scale too often. Since working out I've only weighed myself three times. Two of which I didn't have much of a choice because I was at the doctor's office.

As of now, 16 pounds doesn't sound like much, but having my friends, family and coworkers constantly tell me how great I look makes this journey so worth it.

I've found a reason to be proud of myself, and at this point in my life that's exactly what I need.

You don't need an expensive workout program or a lot of equipment to get healthy, you just need to take the necessary steps.

One of the first pieces of advice Bev gave me was, "It doesn't matter what workout you are doing. As long as you are moving, you are burning calories."

It always makes me laugh when I try to tell her thank you for pushing me towards my goal, she just brushes it off like it's no big deal and tells me that's what friends are for.

Sabrina is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by email at swestfall@gcdailyworld.com or by telephone at 847-4487. Follow her on Twitter @GCDWWestfall .